It’s finally here! Award season is upon us, and to me that means all new beauty and fashion trends.

Sure, Fashion Week gives us a heads up on what hair styles, makeup trends and fashion is to come in the next season. In reality it’s the celebrities who take the runways visions and spin them off into what’s really wearable.

There is so much to look out for when the celebs hit the red carpet. Glowing skin, and the foundation on top, dewy or matte finish? Lip shades, which of course go with the type of eye, smokey eye, or something more subdude? Hair color, hair texture, hair length and style. Don’t forget the manicure either!

The Golden Globes are this Sunday, and I will definitely be watching. So, don’t worry if you miss it, I’ll be taking notes and sharing with you in up coming posts!

Everyone has a few staples in their beauty routine that they can’t live without. Here are Brookemoinet.com’s, favorite thing’s.

1. Aveda Body Wash in Shampure or Energizing scent.

“The natural scents from Aveda wake me up inside. Their body wash is a pure and refreshing way to start the day!”

2. Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo -

“I like to use this on more than just Sunday to help fade my color after I just have it done.   Helps my colored hair look more natural.”

3. La Roche Posay- Biomedic Micro Exfoliating Scrub-

“The best exfoliating facial scrub out there by a land slide! Every exfoliating cleaser I’ve tried doesn’t come close to the exfoliating power of this product.  It deeply exfoliates without being too harsh on the skin. Like a microdermabrasion at your own sink.”

4. Oral-B Glide Silk Floss-

“Glides through my tight teeth without getting stuck or fraying”

5. Bath and Body Works gentle foaming hand wash-

“Affordably luxurious. Your guests will compliment it every time they use it. Leaves a nice soft scent on hands.”

6. T.N. Dickensons Witch Hazel-

“Great as a post face-wash astringent. I could bathe in this stuff! “

7. Burt’s Bees Chap-stick-

“My lips can’t live without it! I love that it’s natural.  I know it not just creating a barrier over my lips like most chap-sticks out there, it’s also healing and moisturizing them.”

8. Cetaphil Cream-

“Heals the driest skin in an instant. Great for sensitive skin and skin affected by eczema as well. I love slathering it on myhands before I go to sleep. “

9. Pedicure by OPI “Soften”-

“Amazing callus softener with AHA & Green Tea Extract. Apply before bed and wake up with baby soft feet.”

10. Baby Oil-

“For me it’s the best eye makeup remover. It loosens even the toughest, waterproof mascara, or lash glue, or eye paint you may have worn that evening. Plus, you won’t be doing a lot of rubbing with this, which can cause premature aging around the eyes.”

11. Bed Head Masterpiece Hair Spray-

“Smells delicious! Leaves a clean shine, and holds any masterpiece in place. Use a little for a lighter hold, or you can build it up for a stiffer hold.”

February is the most romantic month of the year, and the magazines, fashion industry, beauty industry, and the rest of the world knows it.

Check out February magazine issues for the sweetest and sultry looks to try through-out the year!  Glam it up for a special date, or keep it soft for a sweet night in with your sweetie.  Rip out the beauty tips and keep them for a special date that may come your way in a few months.

Let the romantic fabrics of what you are wearing to inspire your hair and makeup.  For instance, Tulle and lace, and silky fabric is very now, so keep your hair soft by adding loose curls or a soft french twist with your makeup dewy and light.

xo

Turns out the girl coloring my hair was in fact an armature (I knew it) despite her rave reviews online. It also doesn’t help that I consider myself an expert in hair color (on others hair) and I am super anal about making sure the hair is saturated when doing an all over color. (I noticed several strands that still had light spots once my cutting stylist blow dried my hair at the end of the service.) To be fair the poor girl didn’t really stand a chance doing my color. When I was an “assistant” to a “top” colorist at the last salon I worked at, I wanted to pull my hair out every time I had to endure the sight of  her doing a color.  Bleeds with high-lights, sloppy coloring techniques, same toner for almost every client, I said “WTF in my head on a daily basis… So this girl at Prive, who probably only has two years out of beauty school (at the most),  didn’t stand a chance once I stepped into her chair.
Thank heaven the stylist who cut my hair was a real expert, who even helped launch Toni and Guy salons, the makers of TIGI and BED HEAD in Europe. Nice work Franck!
So, in the end I was happy for the change but I was left unsatisfied and wanted more.  More Blonde!

 Damn my need for change…

Salon extensions can cost you a pretty penny so, a great way for you to get a new look is with adding a clip-in type piece, like what Jessica Simpson, and Ken Paves make. I have tried one myself  and really loved it. Their hair pieces are very easy to clip in and take out, and it’s fun!  It is extremely important that you make sure the color of the hair piece matches exactly to your own, otherwise you might get called out on the fake hair on your head. Not that it should be embarrassing, but it might be if you get called out on it. So, take it in to your salon and get your color matched, or make sure your stylist or good friend helps you match the hair to your own.

 I joined Twitter for anyone out there on the site…http://twitter.com/BewTQween

This is the second time I have gotten Great Length extensions, and I have to say, I love them! Ever since I cut my long hair off last year I have been biting my nails waiting for it to grow back. Thankfully, I knew my stuff on extensions and made myself an appointment to get the Cadillac of extensions put in. I wanted them to last as long as possible, and I didn’t want to have to worry about them falling out or them feeling like a weave. Sorry.

There are in fact several different types of extensions you can get. Some with metal clamps that last approx. 6 weeks (and I hear are painful for a few days), sew-in extensions that last about as long as you can stand not washing your hair.  Bonded ones like Great Lengths that can last up to six months, (mine lasted about 4 months), and several other ways to extend your length.

It all depends on how long you want the hair to last so, ask all the questions that concern you. If you have had short hair for a while, try a clip-in type of extension first to see if you even like your hair longer, and to find the right length. Different types call for different price points, so check with your stylist or salon for more details, and shop around.

If you are like me, a change of season calls for a change of  hair color. Example, I tend to go a bit darker in the cooler months and brighten up as it warms up. But you shouldn’t just change your hair color, you should also keep your lip color in mind as well.  Here are a few tips.

Brunettes : Sheer colors, nudes, and plum tones work best with darker hair.

Blondes: Fair haired beauties always look great in pastels (don’t forget a little bronzer ), pinks, and punchy reds.

Red: Lips stains are a nice subdued choice next to the vibrant hair color, as well as subtle peach tones, and rosy lip shades.

It is not customary to tip salon owners who also perform services. Some actually refuse tipping, yet I have known salon owners who gladly accept tips. The reason for not tipping a salon owner is because the owner receives the payment for services rendered in full, as opposed to stylists working within the salon who only get a percentage. Whether or not you tip your stylist who also owns the salon is up to you. If you love your style there is nothing wrong with showing appreciation with a tip, if accepted. Also, there is no need to feel guilty about not tipping your stylist who also happens to own the salon. 

Tipping doesn’t get thrown out the window when it comes to going to the spa either. So, please don’t forget to pay gratitude to your facialist, brow specialist, makeup artist, masseuse, waxer, and nail tech.

Rachel Evan-Wood has a faded orange hair-color with dishwater blonde roots coming through…. Who told her this was ok? It’s award season honey, go get your color done!

The gorgeous Penelope Cruz must have gotten stiffed by her hair-dresser tonight. Poor girl had to sport the rough dried, and half pulled up look.

Lastly Angelina, Angelina… I give her credit for trying something different, but this time I think she should have left the hair down. Her loosely pinned back do, only made her look fifteen years older. But, I am happy her hair was pulled away from her face, when you’re that stunning there is no need to hide behind hair.